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Chapter 1120But of the particulars I have given order both to these and the other that came from me, to commune with you.21Fare ye well. The hundred and eight and fortieth year, the four and twentieth day of the month Dioscorinthius.22Now the king's letter contained these words: King Antiochus unto his brother Lysias sendeth greeting:23Since our father is translated unto the gods, our will is, that they that are in our realm live quietly, that every one may attend upon his own affairs.24We understand also that the Jews would not consent to our father, for to be brought unto the custom of the Gentiles, but had rather keep their own manner of living: for the which cause they require of us, that we should suffer them to live after their own laws.25Wherefore our mind is, that this nation shall be in rest, and we have determined to restore them their temple, that they may live according to the customs of their forefathers.26Thou shalt do well therefore to send unto them, and grant them peace, that when they are certified of our mind, they may be of good comfort, and ever go cheerfully about their own affairs.27And the letter of the king unto the nation of the Jews was after this manner: King Antiochus sendeth greeting unto the council, and the rest of the Jews:28If ye fare well, we have our desire; we are also in good health.29Menelaus declared unto us, that your desire was to return home, and to follow your own business:30Wherefore they that will depart shall have safe conduct till the thirtieth day of Xanthicus with security.31And the Jews shall use their own kind of meats and laws, as before; and none of them any manner of ways shall be molested for things ignorantly done.32I have sent also Menelaus, that he may comfort you.33Fare ye well. In the hundred forty and eighth year, and the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.34The Romans also sent unto them a letter containing these words: Quintus Memmius and Titus Manlius, ambassadors of the Romans, send greeting unto the people of the Jews.35Whatsoever Lysias the king's cousin hath granted, therewith we also are well pleased.36But touching such things as he judged to be referred to the king, after ye have advised thereof, send one forthwith, that we may declare as it is convenient for you: for we are now going to Antioch.37Therefore send some with speed, that we may know what is your mind.38Farewell. This hundred and eight and fortieth year, the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.

2 Maccabees is, in the Christian tradition, a deuterocanonical book of the Bible, which focuses on the Jews' revolt against Antiochus IV Epiphanes and concludes with the defeat of the Syrian general Nicanor in 161 BC by Judas Maccabeus, the hero of the work. Unlike 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees was written in Koine Greek, probably in Alexandria, Egypt, c 124 BC. It presents a revised version of the historical events recounted in the first seven chapters of 1 Maccabees, adding material from the Pharisaic tradition, including prayer for the dead and a resurrection on Judgment Day.